Canadian Who Died Of H5N1 Was Young, Otherwise Healthy Woman, WHO Reports

Jan 10, 2014

News outlets continue to report on North America’s first H5N1 case, with the WHO confirming the fatality and releasing additional information on the victim.

CIDRAP News: Exposure source in Canadian H5N1 case a mystery
“It remained unclear today how the victim of the first H5N1 avian influenza infection in North America, a Canadian who visited China in December, was exposed to the virus, as health authorities stressed the case’s uniqueness and continued to describe the risk of further transmission as very low…” (Roos, 1/9).

CTV Edmonton: WHO releases more details about H5N1 victim
“…The World Health Organization reported Thursday the victim was a female Canadian citizen, previously in good health. CTV News has also learned the woman was an employee at the Red Deer Regional Hospital, and was 28-years-old…” (Weisberg, 1/9).

WHO: Human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus — update
“WHO has been informed by Canada of a laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in a previously healthy adult, who was first symptomatic on 27 December 2013 and died 3 January 2014. The person visited Beijing, China, from 6 to 27 December 2013 and returned to Canada on 27 December 2013. The individual was symptomatic during travel with malaise and feeling feverish. The person traveled with one other individual who is well. … Globally there have been a total of 649 cases and 385 deaths reported, including this latest case…” (1/9).